Fig Tree Development

Climate

• Fig trees are best adapted to regions with warm and dry weather. Frequent rains during fruit development cause fruit splitting. Diseases are common in trees grown in tropical regions. The trees are not hardy in temperatures below 30 F.

Water

• Fig tree roots grow close to the ground surface and are prone to dry out. Water trees regularly, but avoid overwatering. Apply mulch to tree roots to help retain moisture. If you notice a slight wilting of foliage during the afternoon, it is a sign of water stress. Reduce water in the fall, as this helps to promote dormancy for the winter.

Fertilizer

• You do not need to regularly fertilize your fig tree unless it is growing in sandy soil or as a potted tree. Excessive levels of nitrogen in fig trees leads to lush foliage but reduced fruit count. The fruit also ripens prematurely on these trees. Fig trees require nitrogen if branch growth is less a foot from the prior year, according to the California Rare Fruit Growers Association.